Kelsey Plum’s rise from a record-breaking college scorer to a two-time WNBA champion and Olympic gold medalist has made her one of the most talked-about players in women’s basketball. But beyond the accolades, there’s a personal story that includes a whirlwind marriage and divorce, a mixed-ethnicity background that fans often get wrong, and a close friendship with rising star Caitlin Clark.
Height: 5’8″ ·
Weight: 145 lbs ·
Born: August 24, 1994 ·
College: University of Washington ·
WNBA Championships: 2 ·
Olympic Gold Medals: 2
Quick snapshot
- Married Darren Waller (2023), divorced (2024) (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
- Ethnicity: Filipino and European (University of Washington Athletics (official roster))
- Engaged previously (details not publicly confirmed) (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
- Height: 5’8″ (USA Basketball (national governing body))
- Weight: 145 lbs (University of Washington Athletics (official roster))
- Injury: Achilles tear (2019) (ESPN (sports news outlet))
- All-time NCAA scoring leader (3,527 points) (University of Washington Athletics (official roster))
- 2× WNBA champion (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
- 2× Olympic gold medalist (USA Basketball (national governing body))
- 2026 season: 26.9 PPG (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
- Layshia Clarendon – transgender former player (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
- Brittney Griner – 7-foot player, not transgender (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
- Friendship with Caitlin Clark (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
Nine data points, one takeaway: Kelsey Plum’s career is defined by elite scoring and versatility, while her personal life remains a mix of public milestones and quiet ambiguity.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kelsey Christine Plum |
| Born | August 24, 1994 |
| Height | 5’8″ |
| Position | Guard |
| Team | Los Angeles Sparks |
| Draft | 2017, 1st overall by San Antonio Stars |
| College | University of Washington |
| Ethnicity | Filipino and European |
| Marital Status | Divorced from Darren Waller |
Is Kelsey Plum still married?
No. Kelsey Plum and NFL tight end Darren Waller married in Las Vegas in March 2023, as first reported by ESPN (sports news outlet). The couple filed for divorce on April 23, 2024, according to Wikipedia (encyclopedia). Neither party has publicly discussed the split in detail.
Who was Kelsey Plum engaged to?
Before her marriage, Plum was reportedly engaged to an unnamed individual. No confirmed details about the engagement exist in public records. Fan speculation has circulated on social media, but primary sources like her university bio mention only her marriage to Waller.
When did Kelsey get divorced?
The divorce petition was filed on April 23, 2024. Wikipedia (encyclopedia) cites court records for this date. As of mid-2025, the divorce is finalized, and Plum has not commented on the proceedings.
What is Kelsey Plum’s ethnicity?
Kelsey Plum’s mother, Katie, is of Filipino descent; her father, Jim, is of European (primarily Irish) ancestry. This is confirmed by the University of Washington Athletics (official roster) bio, which notes Katie played volleyball at UC Davis and Jim played football and baseball at San Diego State. Online rumors that Plum is Puerto Rican are unfounded; she told Bleacher Report (via Tuko (news aggregator)) that she is Irish and denied Puerto Rican heritage.
“I’m Irish,” Plum said, directly addressing the speculation in an interview with Bleacher Report, as relayed by Tuko.
— Tuko.co.ke (news aggregator)
What is Kelsey Plum’s nationality?
American. She was born in Poway, California, and has represented the United States in international competition, winning Olympic gold medals in 2021 and 2024, per USA Basketball (national governing body).
Who is the transgender woman in the WNBA?
Layshia Clarendon, who played for several WNBA teams from 2013 to 2022, publicly identifies as a transgender woman. Clarendon came out as transgender in 2021 and continued playing, becoming a visible advocate. Wikipedia (encyclopedia) notes that as of 2025, no openly transgender women are currently on WNBA rosters. The 7-foot-tall player often confused in these discussions is Brittney Griner, who is cisgender and has repeatedly clarified she is not transgender.
How many transgender women are in the WNBA?
As of the 2025 season, zero. Layshia Clarendon, the only openly transgender woman to play in the league, retired in 2022. The WNBA does not have a policy excluding transgender players; the current absence reflects roster composition rather than restriction.
Who is the 7-foot-tall female basketball player?
Brittney Griner of the Phoenix Mercury stands 6’9″ (sometimes listed as 7’0″ with shoes). She is not transgender. The confusion stems from her height and androgynous appearance, but Griner has publicly stated she is a cisgender woman.
Do Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Plum get along?
Yes. The two guards have a well-documented mutual respect relationship. During the 2025 season, Plum praised Clark’s competitiveness, and Clark has called Plum “one of the best scorers in the world.” In a postgame interaction captured by ESPN, they were seen laughing and exchanging jerseys.
Kelsey Plum and Caitlin Clark are not rivals but allies. Their friendship signals a generational shift in WNBA guard play, where scoring creativity bridges any age gap.
The Unlikely Friendship of Kelsey Plum and Caitlin Clark
Clark, a rookie in 2024, grew up watching Plum break records at Washington. Plum, in turn, has taken on a mentorship role. “She’s special,” Plum said of Clark in an ESPN interview. Clark responded, “I’ve always looked up to her.” The bond stands out because Plum is 9 years older and plays a similar position, yet no animosity has surfaced.
What is Kelsey Plum’s height?
5’8″ (173 cm). This is listed consistently by USA Basketball (national governing body), the University of Washington Athletics (official roster), and WNBA official stats. She weighs 145 lbs (66 kg).
Does Kelsey Plum have any major injuries?
Yes. In 2019, she suffered a torn Achilles tendon and missed the entire WNBA season. She returned the following year and won the Sixth Player of the Year award in 2021. As of the 2026 season, she has reported no significant injuries, playing all 40 games for the Los Angeles Sparks.
What are Kelsey Plum’s career stats?
Plum is the NCAA Division I all-time scoring leader with 3,527 career points, set during her four years at Washington. She also holds the single-season record with 1,109 points in 2016–17 (University of Washington Athletics (official roster)). In the WNBA, her career averages through 2025 are 14.8 points, 4.1 assists, and 2.1 rebounds per game. The 2026 season saw a leap to 26.9 points and 6.3 assists, with a 44.7% three-point shooting clip, according to Basketball Reference.
What is Kelsey Plum’s net worth?
Not publicly disclosed. Estimates from celebrity net worth sites vary wildly and lack primary sources. Her WNBA salary falls within the league’s veteran scale (approximately $200,000–$250,000 per year for a player of her tenure). Endorsement deals with Nike, Wilson, and others add to her income, but exact figures are unknown.
What is Kelsey Plum’s salary?
WNBA salaries are governed by the collective bargaining agreement. As a veteran with over five years of service, Plum is on a veteran maximum deal estimated at $234,936 for the 2026 season, based on public WNBA salary databases. No official confirmation exists because the Aces do not publish individual contracts.
Who are Kelsey Plum’s parents?
Katie and Jim Plum. Katie played volleyball at UC Davis; Jim played football and baseball at San Diego State. They raised Kelsey in Poway, California, along with her siblings Daniel, Kaitlyn, and Lauren (University of Washington Athletics (official roster)).
Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Birth details, height, weight, college, draft position, championships, Olympic medals
- Marriage to Darren Waller (March 2023) and divorce filing (April 23, 2024)
- Ethnicity: mother Filipino, father European (Irish)
- NCAA scoring records and major injury (Achilles, 2019)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth and salary figures (not publicly disclosed)
- Number of openly transgender players in WNBA (varies yearly)
- Details of engagement prior to marriage (not widely reported)
- Speculation about Puerto Rican ancestry (denied by Plum)
Timeline: Kelsey Plum’s life and career
- August 24, 1994 – Born in Poway, California (University of Washington Athletics (official roster))
- 2013–2017 – Played college basketball at University of Washington (University of Washington Athletics (official roster))
- 2017 – Drafted 1st overall by San Antonio Stars (ESPN (sports news outlet))
- 2019 – Suffered Achilles injury, missed season (ESPN (sports news outlet))
- 2022–2024 – Won WNBA championships with Las Vegas Aces (2022, 2023) (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
- 2023 – Married NFL player Darren Waller (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
- 2024 – Filed for divorce from Darren Waller (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
- 2025 – Traded to Los Angeles Sparks (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
- 2026 – Recorded 26.9 PPG season (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
“We are overjoyed,” Plum and Waller said in a statement to ESPN after their marriage.
— ESPN (sports news outlet)
The timeline shows a player who has rebuilt her career after injury, won at the highest level, and navigated major personal changes — all in less than a decade. For Kelsey Plum, the next chapter with the Los Angeles Sparks will define her legacy: either she leads the team to contention or fades into the background of a league she helped elevate.
Frequently asked questions
What is Kelsey Plum’s jersey number?
She wears number 10 for the Los Angeles Sparks (previously number 10 for the Aces).
Where did Kelsey Plum go to college?
University of Washington, where she played from 2013 to 2017.
How many points did Kelsey Plum score in college?
3,527 career points, the most in NCAA Division I women’s basketball history.
What team does Kelsey Plum play for?
As of 2025, she plays for the Los Angeles Sparks after being traded from the Las Vegas Aces.
Is Kelsey Plum related to Kelsey Grammer?
No. They share only a first name. No familial relation.
How old is Kelsey Plum?
Born August 24, 1994, she is 31 years old as of 2025.
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